CNet USA announces product road map, partnerships with leading distributors and manufacturers; Ethernet Leader To Incorporate Latest IC Technology into Lower-Cost Switches, Hubs, NICs for Distribution, OEM Channels.

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 1997--CNet USA Technology, Inc., a developer of high-speed networking products for the worldwide computing market, today announced its product road map and several business partnerships that will help expand the company's presence in the Fast Ethernet market and make inroads to Gigabit Ethernet.

CNet's product strategy centers on advanced chip-level Ethernet technology designed for lower-cost yet full-function Fast Ethernet -- and, eventually, Gigabit Ethernet -- switching hubs and network interface cards (NICs). Complementing its technology focus with a strong marketing infrastructure, CNet will market these next-generation products through established partnerships with leading industry distributors, resellers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the computer networking field.

Through 1997 and the first half of 1998, CNet will implement into its switching hubs and NICs highly integrated, chip-level Ethernet technology, which brings added functionality and performance to products while reducing their component count and, thus, cost. Specifically, CNet's product lineup will include: -0-

-- multi-port 10/100 CNet(R) PowerSWITCH(R) switching hubs, using the latest Fast Ethernet semiconductor technology and yielding the lowest per-port pricing in the industry (Q2 and Q3);

-- 10/100 NICs priced significantly lower the competitors' boards (Q2 and Q3):

-- Support for a wider range of local area network (LAN) media, such as fiber cable (Q3);

-- Advanced network management support for virtually all major network operating systems (Q4); and

-- Gigabit Ethernet solutions, with seamless upgrade paths from CNet's Fast Ethernet NICs and switching hubs (Q1 '98).

Also during this period, CNet will supply its Fast Ethernet products to several leading OEMs, including Hitachi and Sumitomo. Additionally, the company has established partnerships with some of the most prominent names among distributors, such as Ingram Micro, Merisel and Tech Data.

High-speed networking mission, seasoned management team

"This product road map is consistent with CNet's mission to provide customers with affordable, high-speed networking solutions that help them successfully resell or implement powerful workgroup LANs," said Andy Chin, senior vice president and general manager at CNet USA. "Given our relationships with chip vendors like Davicom Semiconductor and Galileo Technology, whose products add functionality to and help lower costs of our switches and NICs, and with numerous distribution and OEM partners, we fully expect to be successful in this mission."

Executing CNet USA's new product and business strategy is a recently installed management team with more than 50 years of combined high-technology marketing and management experience. Chin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Len Palmer and Director of Marketing Kimble Jarrold bring to the company expertise from high-technology powerhouses such as Novell, Ungerman-Bass, Hughes and Unisys.

CNet USA Technology, Inc. (www.cnetusa.com) is an ISO9001-certified company, designs, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive line of high-speed local- and wide-area network products, including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Token-Ring and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) protocols. CNet products -- which include switching hubs, bridges, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) solutions, network interface cards, and standard hubs and repeaters -- are available worldwide through authorized distributors. -0-

Note to Editors: CNet and PowerSWITCH are registered trademarks of CNet Technology, Inc.

CONTACT: Commonground Communications

Jerry Steach, 415/967-3071

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